Posted!

Join the Conversation

Sequestration Threatens Ocmulgee National Monument

When we think of the impact of budget cuts, we usually talk in terms of the effects on the Department of Defense. But as we found out today, one of Central Georgia's most visited tourist attractions stands to lose funding and jobs.

With the threat of $85 million in budget cuts fast approaching, most eyes are on the impact this sequestration will have on the Department of Defense, and locally on installations like Robins Air Force Base.

But the impact will be felt by other federally-funded programs, including one of Central Georgia's most visited tourist attractions, which stands to lose funding -- and jobs.

These cuts will reduce staff and services at the Ocmulgee National Monument.

More than 100,000 people a year visit Macon's 2,000-year-old park.

Like these vacationers from Connecticut, who made a pit stop on their way to Florida.

"We needed a break from the Connecticut winter so we came down to Georgia," says Neil Gershon, who visited the park with his wife.

Keeping up the national park comes with a price.

Jim David, Superintendent at the Ocmulgee National Monument, says the budget for the park is at $1.2 million. And there's a good reason why.

"We have 702 acres to maintain, so with 11 staff members and that size budget we are a little bit tight," he says.

With sequestration looming, that budget is about to get even tighter.

An Interior Department memo sent out to heads of National Parks told them to find a way to cut 5 percent of their budgets.

"We sat down the management team and tried to figure out what we could do reduce that 5 percent but also have the minimal impact that we could," Davis explains.

And that means cutting funding for the popular annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration as well as reducing the summer maintenance workers from four to just one to cover the 702-acre grounds.

The look at a park matters, says Aubrey Inman of Atlanta, who came to Macon for a run.

"I really appreciate the parks that I go to that are well maintained, like as a runner you can tell when a park hasn't been maintained."